Best Things to do in Miami

Miami is a city like no other in the United States. I always like to say that Miami is its own separate country. In a way, it is. It is a city full of different cultures, lovely sights, and a shining sun. Miami has so much to offer any visitor. From parties, museums, white sand beaches, and national parks, Miami has it all. If you are looking to plan a trip to Miami this summer or any time of the year, here are the best things to do in Miami. 

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South Beach

One of the best things to do in Miami is explore South Beach. South Beach is the icon of Miami Florida and is featured in any film or music video set in Miami. It would be a crime to visit this beautiful city and skip out on this strip of bright lights, white sands, and salty seas. Whether you enjoy the sand or hate it, there is something for everyone to enjoy at South Beach. 

To start, you can spend a day on the sand by enjoying a picnic with family and friends, building sandcastles, and swimming in the bright blue water. If you are looking for more excitement, South Beach provides ample jet skis, parasailing, surfing, paddleboarding, and more. As a fan of watersports, Miami’s South Beach is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Many of the vendors who rent out the equipment also provide lessons for those who don’t know how. So if you are looking to try a new fun activity on the water, you can find everything you are looking for on this nine-mile stretch. 

However, if you are not into watersports, the beach, or sand in general, South Beach has more to offer. Right across the sand, with a view of the ocean waves, are the historic Art Deco buildings everyone is familiar with. Click here for one of the famed Miami Art deco Walking Tours! Along this long line, you’ll find exciting restaurants such as the Sugar Factory, famous bars, and flashy boutiques. In South Beach you can spend your time shopping, talking, eating, and having a grand time without even stepping foot in the sand or water. If you want to take in the sights of south beach, join a big bus tour that takes you down A1A and through the city. Get your discounted ticket here.

Wynwood

Next on the list of best things to do in Miami is Wynwood. Wynwood is Miami’s newest and most famous art district splattered with color fun and excitement. Wynwood boasts hundreds of beautifully painted walls from famous and local artists in the city. Here you can explore each painted building, learn the history of the city, and interpret the art all in one day. Each wall tells a story and the more you learn, the more you’ll appreciate the grounds you are standing on. 

Along with brightly-colored walls and artistic graffiti, Wynwood hosts many art festivals and weekend festivities. On any day, you will find vendors selling handmade goods, gorgeous pieces of art, and even clothes. Wynwood lets you get to know the Miami locals and see what it is all about. It also allows you to support the local businesses that run the heart of the city. The most exciting part about the festivals is the food. Each weekend, lines of food trucks line up to sell authentic local food. This means spicy Jamaican food, flavorful Latin food, and delicious desserts from countries all over South America. It is an exciting way to taste the flavors of the melting pot we call Miami and expand your palate to enjoy the finer flavors.

After night falls in Wynwood, the local businesses open up and you will find a plethora of record stores, high-end milkshake bars, speakeasy-style restaurants, and so much more. Wynwood represents the art scene of Miami and paints the city in vibrant living lights. It is a must-do when visiting Miami and will never disappoint.  

Museums

One of the most fun things to do in Miami is visit the many museums. Though it may seem like it, Miami isn’t just fun and games. Miami is also a vibrant city with excellent museums and opportunities for learning.

The first museum on the list is the Perez Art Museum. Located in Museum Park, next to the Kaseya Center and Frost Science Museum is this iconic art museum. This art museum features two floors of modern art from local Latin artists. This art museum specializes in telling the stories of the hardships immigrants had to endure in their lives and how they found themselves in Miami. It tells the stories that many in the city can relate to and does so using gorgeous art pieces. Here you can find that story being told in so many expressive ways that will inspire you to conquer the personal battles and struggles in your life. With bright popping colors and stone sculptures, this iconic art museum is another experience that fills you with light. Each exhibit helps you understand the unique culture of Miami.

Then, the next museum is the Frost Science Museum. This museum, built only a few years ago, features modern technology and incredible learning opportunities. Here both adults and children can explore under the sea with giant aquariums full of saltwater fish. They can explore coral systems and conservation efforts being done throughout this coastal city. After walking through the aquarium, you can also learn about how the body and brain work with multiple interactive stations. Then on the bright roof, you can view the Miami skyline while learning about solar power and wind energy. There is so much to learn at this science museum and it is by far one of my favorites in the city. 

Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami is another of the best things to do in Miami. Miami’s zoo isn’t just any city zoo. This zoo sits on seven hundred fifty acres of land and houses over two thousand animals. Here you can find gorgeous pink flamingos flying through the open air, active lions, and towering elephants. Take the time to get up close and personal with giant giraffes by feeding them bowls of lettuce and carrots. Then after you are finished, you can rent a four-person bike and bike through each enclosure because the entire zoo is a four-mile walk. 

Then you can learn about the animals at their several conservation stations. There you can learn about where the animals came from, how they live, and what is being done to protect those endangered. There are also quite a few restaurants and ice cream stands to break at during your trip. Zoo Miami is a great opportunity for all animal lovers and enthusiasts. It is a must-do when visiting Miami as many of the animals are Florida natives and helps you learn about the habitat they are living in. Purchase your ticket in advance here to save up to 50% on admission!

National Parks

Last on the list of top things to do in Miami are the national parks. Just this single city hosts two of America’s national parks. These two parks are Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. 

Everglades National Park is a protected area that highlights what the state of Florida really is. That is a swamp. If you look at the map of Miami, next to the city lights, you will find miles and miles of green area. This area is the Everglades. At this national park, you can hike swamplands, kayak through mangrove forests, and watch alligators in their natural habitat. You can even take an airboat cruise through the swamp to meet some Florida gators. The experience does require a reservation though, you can find it here. It is a wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with nature and explore an ecosystem you won’t find anywhere else in the entire United States. Here there are also hundreds of native beautiful bright-colored birds to watch and photograph. You can also take an airboat ride through the murky waters and watch the active gators swim through. 

Then we have Biscayne National Park. This park, located at the very end of Miami is a National Park that focuses on our beautiful ocean and everything that lives inside of it. Here you can snorkel and scuba dive to explore coral reef systems, sea turtles, and manatees that inhabit the ocean of Miami. You can also hike through the ocean-lined trails and photograph the iconic Boca Key lighthouse. There are also many kayaks and stand-up paddleboard opportunities for those looking to get onto the water and explore marine life. 

Where will you start?

A trip to Miami is a wonderful experience and there is so much to do. Miami has something to offer for all kinds of people. For nature lovers, enjoy the large zoo and multiple national parks. For party lovers, hit the streets and sands of South Beach. Then for lovers of culture and learning about this historic city, have some fun at the Wynwood walls and many museums. When it comes to Miami the question isn’t what is there to do, the question is rather, where will you start?

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